Next-Gen Solar Panels: More Power from the Sun, Though the use of solar panels is on the rise, it still only represents 1.5 percent of total energy consumption in Europe. There are many reasons for this, starting with the intermittent nature of solar energy due to bad weather, the difficulty of storing it, and the cost of solar panels. Researchers at the Institute for Microtechnology in Neuchatel, Switzerland are working on ways to make solar energy more cost-effective. This includes using less expensive metals such as copper, as well as new technology to better absorb sunlight. euronews knowledge brings you a fresh mix of the world's most interesting know-hows, directly from space and sci-tech experts.